Week 6 is upon us in the college football season, and this week is filled with some particularly interesting matchups. As conference rivals battle one another for not only supremacy in the conference rankings but the overall ranks as well, there will be some crucial games for some programs this weekend. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three of the more intriguing matchups this weekend:
No. 14 Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 19 Michigan Wolverines
The Big Ten has a couple of noteworthy matchups this weekend, with the first one featuring the No. 14 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0) versus the No. 19 Michigan Wolverines (3-1). The Hawkeyes are led by quarterback Nate Stanley, who has thrown for 965 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Mekhi Sargent has led the way on the ground, rushing for 299 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Michigan is led by Shea Patterson, who has 905 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. On the ground, it has been freshman Zach Charbonnet (218 yards, three touchdowns) leading the way.
No. 7 Auburn Tigers at No. 10 Florida Gators
Saturday afternoon will feature a pair of unbeaten teams as the No. 7 Auburn Tigers (5-0) will face off with the No. 10 Florida Gators (5-0) in an SEC showdown. Auburn is led by true freshman Bo Nix, who has 980 yards passing for seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has 173 yards rushing and another pair of touchdowns. On the ground, though, it is JaTarvious Whitlow who has been the most productive with 463 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.
The Gators have Kyle Trask as their starter under center after Feleipe Franks went down with a season-ending leg injury three weeks ago. Trask has done well so far, passing for 647 yards and five touchdowns. On the ground, Lamical Perine leads the way with 198 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
No. 25 Michigan State Spartans at No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes
This is the second of the Big Ten matchups of top-25 teams this week. In this one, the 4-1 Michigan State Spartans will travel to face the 5-0 Ohio State Buckeyes. The Spartans are led by quarterback Brian Lewerke, who has thrown for 1,325 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception this season. His favorite receiver has been Darrell Stewart Jr., who has 35 catches for 556 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, they are led by freshman Elijah Collins, who has 413 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
The Buckeyes are led by quarterback Justin Fields, who has passed for 1,092 yards and 16 touchdowns. He does a really nice job of sharing the wealth, as he has three receivers with over 200 yards, and each has at least two touchdowns (two with four apiece). On the ground, it is J.K. Dobbins leading the way with an astounding 654 yards rushing and five touchdowns.
California Bill Passes
California has made it official. Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday signed into law Senate Bill 206, which allows players to profit from their own name, image or likeness. While the bill does not officially go into effect until 2023, it will have major ramifications for college athletes in California and likely around the nation as other states look to adopt similar bills.
One group especially opposed to this bill is the NCAA itself, as it views this as a contradiction to the notion of amateur level of play that they provide. Granted, it will not be the colleges themselves that will be paying their players; rather, it simply gives these student-athletes the opportunity to get endorsements similar to what an Olympic athlete would be able to do.
While the NCAA is obviously frustrated by the passing of this bill, this issue is not going away. In fact, there are reports that Anthony Gonzalez, a U.S. representative from Ohio, is interested in setting up a federal law that would allow players to make money while in college. While all of the details of his possible bill are not known, it would obviously end, or at least give some closure to, a debate that has been going on for quite some time.
Nebraska Defensive Lineman Suspended
It is not uncommon for football games to get chippy, but for the Big Ten, they showed that they felt Nebraska defensive lineman Khalil Davis went a little too far. The conference has suspended the lineman for striking Ohio State’s center Josh Myers during the Cornhuskers’ 48-7 loss to the Buckeyes. Hoping to still win the Big Ten West, the Cornhuskers will be without their defensive lineman this weekend as they get set to play Northwestern.
BYU QB Out For Foreseeable Future
Sadly for BYU fans, quarterback Zach Wilson will be on the shelf for the foreseeable future. Wilson had to leave the game against Toledo and required surgery on his right hand. The hope is that he will still be able to play this year, but that will depend on the surgery and his recovery. On the season, Wilson was 108 for 175 for 1,312 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. The sophomore had gotten off to a strong start to the season and will hope to be able to finish before it is all said and done.
